Although the name “Deadliest Catch” is a reference to the extreme risks of Alaskan crab fishing in the Bering Sea (and indeed, the show has infamously documented the passing of several cast members over the years), the true driving force behind the show is the crew’s attempt to pull in as much crab as possible for the highest profit (via Discovery).

In that, the series is much more akin to “Gold Rush,” as the cast of “Deadliest Catch” works an even tougher job than you might think just for the chance to pull in a haul of Alaskan king crab. Indeed, the show makes it abundantly clear that everyone’s livelihood depends upon their success each season. The desperation to meet their quotas each year leads to tough decisions. Considering how inherently dangerous and nerve-wracking this profession truly is, it’s no wonder why seeing the team bring in a massive haul is so incredibly rewarding — especially when they pull in a record-breaking pot like the one Johnathan Hillstrand caught in 2017.

Johnathan Hillstrand’s insane haul broke records but was a dangerous trip

During Season 13 of “Deadliest Catch,” Captain Johnathan Hillstrand (who was retiring) and the crew of the F/V Time Bandit took their ship over 600 miles away from their berth: over to the coast of Russia. This extreme gamble paid off almost immediately, as the first pot they pulled contained 440 opilio crab, worth about $13,000 at the time (via Yahoo News). Each successive pot seemed to grow bigger and bigger, to the point where one contained around 670 total crabs.

In the end, Hillstrand and his crew set a record for the biggest haul of crab the show had ever seen. Unfortunately, the total number was not confirmed, possibly because the crew had to flee the location due to an impending storm. This specific haul is a perfect example of how “Deadliest Catch” keeps the audiences on the edge of their seat — as Hillstrand’s risky maneuver earned the team an impressive payday while narrowly avoiding severe danger.

Sig Hansen’s brother Norman Hansen works as the engineer on F/V Northwestern, and in Season 20 of Deadliest Catch, dangerous situations in the Bering Sea bring a reminder that Norman nearly died a few years ago. Discovery Channel fans do see a bit of scripted drama, but the danger is very real.

Sig Hansen Fears The Weather But Accidents Can Happen Dockside

The captain of F/V Northwestern is known to be extremely competitive. However, he also knows that death is seldom far from the crabbing fishermen. Ahead of the new season on the Discovery Channel, he described that his biggest fear is the weather. At the time, he said that it was terrifying because sometimes, a friend fishing close by can’t be rescued.

Deaths happened to people who filmed for the Discovery channel. Todd Kochitin passed away after an 800 lb crab pot hit him. Others who died included Danny Matlock, Josh Paulus, and Blaine Steinmetz when their vessel sank. But, for Sig Hansen, the near-fatal accident of Norman Hansen happened in port.

Norman Hansen’s Near-Fatal Accident In Deadliest Catch

Another death that Deadliest Catch fans heard about was former Northwestern deckhand, Nick Mavar. This month, the news revealed that the experienced fisherman passed away after experiencing a “medical emergency.” With that in mind, Collider reminded viewers of the Discovery Channel about the near-death of Norman Hansen in Season 15.

Sig Hansen, the outlet recalled, was in his cabin while the vessel was docked when it happened. The article noted:

Norman endured a tragic slip and severely struck his head while the vessel was docked. However, the incident for Norman didn’t end there; he laid on the deck unconscious [while] Sig rushed to his side. The situation was immediately heightened when Norman began to have a seizure while the camera caught the action. With his skin changing color to a terrifying blue.

Fortunately, Norman survived the terrifying ordeal. Additionally, as filming was in progress, it was a massive reminder to Deadlist Catch fans that the Discovery Channel show is about as real as it can get.

In Season 20, fans already saw that a fire broke out aboard Keith Colburn’s F/V Wizard. It wasn’t a fatal incident for deckhand Tyler, as the crew raced to extinguish the flames. Some fans dissed the scene, claiming that it was fake. Perhaps viewers will never know for sure. But, it highlighted just how dangerous crab fishing in the Bering Sea can be.

What are your thoughts about Norman, the brother of Sig Hansen nearly dying in an accident while the vessel was in port? Can you recall watching Season 15 when it happened? Sound off in the comments below, and remember to come back here for all your Deadliest Catch news.